Wolves vs Burnley: Adama Traore may have to be a super-sub again

The 22-year-old earned Wolves’ first Premier League win of the season with a 93rd-minute strike at West Ham last time out, but head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is still undecided whether he will make the XI for tomorrow’s home game against Burnley.

Traore has made an impression in each of his three substitute appearances – averaging more dribbles per 90 minutes than any other player in the top flight.

But asked if he was impressed with how Traore has fitted into the Wolves side, Nuno said: “No not impressive, I think I still he has things to adapt, things to improve on, what is the shape of the team, his own performance, his own momentum in the game, he is another option for us.

“I wish I could also have Cavaleiro, all the options for the coaches, as many things you can have, as good as you have. He is an option for tomorrow but we did it against West Ham, it was the team that did it (not just Traore).”

Nuno is expecting a tough game against Burnley, who impressed to qualify for the Europa League last season, but travel to Molineux without a win in the Premier League to their name this campaign.

He feels the visitors have been boosted by the international break given their poor start, as it has given manager Sean Dyche time to assess his own squad after an incredibly tough start that has seen them already complete 10 matches – six of them in the qualifying stages of the Europa League.

Nuno said: “This cycle in the beginning of the season, when you have a focus of getting in a Europe competition, you know it is hard to maintain the same standards in both competitions so I think the international break was good for them.

“Sean (Dyche) for sure had a moment to work on that team and go back over what they did so good last season, so Sunday I am expecting a tough game.

“I look at Burnley a very good team, a manager that came (to the Premier League) some years ago and had made fantastic things, I think the best classification since 1974 so that says a lot about the work being done at Burnley.

“We look at them with true respect. Not only because of last season, but the way and the things they are involved in this season getting in Europa League.

“It is hard, we know that moment has passed and Burnley is a different reality now, totally focused on the Premier League.

“That makes things harder for us, we know them and we are going to work again today and we will be ready on Sunday.”

There was suggestion the international break could have come at the wrong time for Wolves, after earning their first win of the season, but Nuno said: “It was predicted in the calendar, so we know.

“Most important thing is to make sure we match the standards from the last game – we have to do it again.”

The opposition: Dyche mightily impressed with Nuno’s Wolves

Burnley boss Sean Dyche has heaped praise on Wolves ahead of the clash.

He has been mightily impressed with how Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have gone about their business over the past year or so and expects a very tough test.

“They’ve done very well. I was impressed with them last season,” said Dyche.

“I thought they invested wisely – got in some very good players.

“They’ve added again this season but kept the core, of course – the players that got them to where they are.

“They look like a good outfit to me. I think they’ve got a good mixture of some really talented players, but also some pace.

“And they’ve defended really well so far this season. It’s another strong side that’s come up and invested so that makes it an even bigger challenge.

“But it’s fair to say they are still new to it and that it is different.

“Sometimes you can view it as a tough time to play these teams as they’re really excited by it all, but we take on the challenge gladly.”

The Clarets turned a lot of heads last season, finishing seventh.

They are yet to pick up a win this campaign, though – drawing one, losing three.

Belgian Steven Defour, having had his Clarets contract extended for another year, will not be involved. He has been out since January with knee and calf injuries.

Ben Gibson – signed from Middlesbrough in the summer – will not feature either as he has a groin issue.

Winger Johan Berg Gudmundsson has recovered after sitting out the 2-0 home loss to Manchester United last time out due to a hamstring problem, and former Wolves full-back Stephen Ward is fit again following the foot injury that saw him miss the Republic of Ireland’s match against Poland on Tuesday.